Before The Divorce Lawyer: The Answers You Need

Having a marriage disintegrate before your eyes can be one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. Nevertheless, it happens every day. More than 50% of marriages now end before that hallowed “death do us part”. Before you get on the phone to a divorce lawyer, however, there are some things you need to reconcile. As there is a wealth of knowledge out there, be up front on do your research. It will help make a painful experience a little less stressful. Unless you are very lucky, chances are this is not going to be a pleasant time in your life. Still, there are things you can do to make it a bit easier on yourself and your family.

One of the most common questions a divorce lawyer is going to get is, “Can I stop this from happening?” In many situations, one half of the party does not particularly want to go through with it. They may be, in fact, vehemently against the idea. Nonetheless, most people will tell you that once the wheels are in motion, it is one train that is very difficult to stop. Even those who have managed to pull it to a stop by a miraculous force find that it is a temporary solution at best. If a person is unhappy in their marriage to the point of wanting out, there is little you can do to turn things around.

If you are the one filing, you’ll need to ask your divorce lawyer whether or not you need to name a specific ground to file under. This is uncommon, though, and likely nothing you’ll need to worry about. 9 times out of 10, the grounds are simply marked “irreconcilable differences”, which can cover almost the complete gamut. If you happen to live in a state where grounds are necessary, there are a number to choose from. Adultery, drugs, abuse, and several others can make for sufficient grounds under which you can easily file. In rare cases, the other party may wish to contest the justification in court, but overturning a divorce is exceedingly uncommon.

Following the initial filing, you and your divorce lawyer can navigate the sometimes murky waters of the contest stage. If there is a prenuptial agreement in place, things will likely be a lot smoother. If not, a full battle could be on the horizon. The best thing to do is to trust your attorney and take his advice when it comes to mediating out the settlement. Chances are that you will feel you are being treated unfairly and that your spouse’s propositions are unreasonable. This goes for both the man and the woman. Few feel they got satisfaction in a trial or even after mediation. The key is to understand that no one is going to be completely happy and to try to move on without increasing the bitter feelings.